ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Special Service and Features
Brainstorming meeting regarding Chinese potato at ICAR-CTCRI on October 6
ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute  is set to host a pivotal event- a brainstorming meeting on Chinese potato on 06 October, 2023 at Millennium Hall of the Institute at 10 AM. The event aims to empower stakeholders by addressing critical challenges faced by the Chinese potato sector in India. Dr. P. Irene Vethamoni, Dean , Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, will be Chief Guest of the event. Dr. Sheeba Rebecca Isaac, Associate Director of Research RARS, Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala, will serve as the Guest of Honour. The programme will be presided over by Dr. G. Byju, Director, ICAR-CTCRI, adding his expertise to the discussions. The primary objective of this brainstorming session is to foster a collaborative and inclusive approach towards addressing the pressing challenges encountered by the Chinese potato sector in India. The event aims to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including researchers, academicians, extension professionals, Chinese potato growers, input dealers, traders, and other end users. Through panel discussions, featuring experts from various fields, the event will delve into specific challenges and formulate actionable policy recommendations, encouraging informed dialogue. Approximately 100 stakeholders are expected to participate in this programme. Their active engagement is anticipated to result in innovative strategies and solutions that can revolutionize the Chinese potato industry in India.
NS
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
National Health Authority launches 100 Microsites Project to accelerate digital health adoption across the country
The Microsites will be cluster of small and mid-sized health facilities that would be fully compliant with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
The Microsites will be cluster of small and mid-sized health facilities that would be fully compliant with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
In the endeavor to promote digital health adoption and hence make healthcare more accessible to all, the National Health Authority  has launched 100 Microsites Project under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission . A Microsite, within the context of ABDM, shall be a cluster of all small and medium scale clinics, nursing homes, hospitals , labs, pharmacies and other healthcare facilities that are ABDM-enabled and offer digital health services to the patients. These Microsites would be established across the country in various states/UTs, majorly implemented by State Mission Directors of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission while the financial resources and overall guidance would be provided by National Health Authority.
The Microsites aim to establish a small ecosystem within a particular geographic area where there is complete ABDM adoption, and the entire patient journey is digitized. The State/UT may leverage a development partner and an interfacing agency for setting up and running the microsite. Within the microsite, all health facilities and healthcare professionals serving across different systems of medicines, especially from the private sector, shall be registered in ABDM modules like Healthcare Professionals Registry , Health Facility Registry  followed by installation of ABDM enabled applications. The patients visiting these centers will also become a part of ABDM with their health records linked to their ABHA which would then be accessible to them on their mobile phone applications like ABHA App, Aarogya Setu among others.
Talking about the project, CEO, NHA said – “We aim to establish 100 such Microsites across the country where focused efforts would be made to bring as many small-medium scale healthcare entities under the ABDM fold. This will not only increase adoption among private sector providers but will also help ABDM to expand its footprints among the private healthcare providers across the country as well.”
It is intended that through these microsites, as many small-medium scale healthcare providers are made aware of ABDM and its benefits, registered on ABDM’s core registries, use ABDM certified digital solutions, and eventually begin to link digital health records - all contributing towards a wider adoption of ABDM in the country. Such focused adoption efforts will activate the ecosystem to embrace ABDM.
On May 31st, 2023, NHA released operational guidelines for the nationwide activation of Microsites. Further information regarding the project can be accessed at: https://abdm.gov.in/microsites
Prime Minister's Office
PM approves ex-gratia for Jalgaon accident victims
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved ex-gratia for the victims of the truck accident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister Office said "PM @narendramodi has approved an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the tragic truck accident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. Rs. 50,000 would be given to those seriously injured."
Special Service and Features
International Webinar on Leather Sustainability
CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute had organized “International Webinar on Leather Sustainability” on 28thAugust 2021 in honor of Dr J Raghava Rao, Chief Scientist, CSIR-CLRI on his superannuation. The webinar started with Dr KJ Sreeram, Director, CSIR-CLRI welcomingthe gathering. The first talk of the webinar was from an illustrious personality in leather world namely Prof.Dr Anthony D Covington, Emeritus Professor of Leather Science, University of Northampton, UK.His lecture was on “Sustainability: A Leather Science perspective”. He traced the origin of sustainability in leather processing and asked some fundamental questions to ponder. He highlighted newer concepts such as reduced water, solvent systems, ionic liquids, general fixation mechanism, closing the loops, controlling end of life and leather education. He indeed set the platform on leather sustainability with a leather science perspective. The next speaker was a close friend and alumnus of CSIR-CLRI, Mr. AtoWonduLegesse, National Project Coordinator, UNIDO, Ethiopia. His talk was on “Sustainability and Circular Economy in leather processing: Ethiopia as an Example”. He emphasized the role of private, government and academic institutes on establishing sustainable solutions to the leather industry in Ethiopia. He also highlighted the concepts of circular economy and eco-industrial parks. He also highlighted Dr Rao’s contributions to leather.
Dr Wolfram Scholz,Director, W2O Environment &Chairman, IUE, IULTCS, spoke on “Environmental sustainability developments of the leather industry”. Dr Scholz highlighted thevarious environmental treatment and management aspects both for liquid as well as solid waste and the use of renewable energy to achieve sustainability. The final speaker of the webinar was Mr Kim Sena, Sustainability Manager, JBS,Brazil and he gave a talk on “A Life Cycle Approach to Leather Production”.He outlined the concept of “Kind Leather” and how it can be adopted based on a scientific approach with process optimization aiming at the reduction of environmental impacts and Life Cycle Assessment. The webinar concluded after discussion with participants, who raised several questions. The event was attended by more than 125 participants from all over the leather world from different continents.
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Ministry of Steel
RINL Bags National Energy Leader Award For The Fourth Time Consecutively
Excellent Energy Efficient Unit Award For The Sixth Time In Row At National Level
Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited  has been awarded National Energy Leader Award for fourth time consecutively and Excellent Energy Efficient Unit Award for sixth time in row from 2017 onwards from Confederation of Indian Industry Godrej Green Business Centre. It is rare achievement in any Integrated Steel Plant and PSU to win National Energy Leader Award Continuously for four years.
Shri AK Saxena, Director , RINL and Shri Abhijit Chakrabarti, CGM-Incharge, RINL received these prestigious awards from Shri Ashok Kumar, Dy. Director General, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Govt. of India at the 23 rd National Award for Excellence in Energy Management programme held at New Delhi, today.
Shri Atul Bhatt, CMD, RINL, congratulated the VSP collective for this unique achievement and mentioned that these awards truly reflect the commitment of the entire workforce towards conserving energy. He exhorted them to achieve international benchmarking in energy consumption, one of the key parameters in the steel making process
RINL reduced specific energy consumption from 6.25 Gcal  / tCS  to 6.02 Gcal/tCS in 2021-22 and registered a reduction of about 4% over previous year. RINL is pioneer in installing state of art cleaner Technologies like Coke Dry Quenching, Sinter Heat Recovery Power Plant, Top Pressure Recovery Turbine, and LD Gas Recovery. RINL has taken various measures such as increasing waste heat recovery, Increase in Pulverised Coal Injection in BF and reduction in BF Gas bleeding. RINL has made a specific action plan to decarbonise Steel  and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2047 in line with MoS objective. RINL also obtained the largest number of Energy Saving Certificates  in Perform, Achieve and Trade  2nd Cycle. RINL is the first Integrated Steel Plant to adopt ISO 50001 Energy Management System.
Prime Minister's Office
PM shares ‘8 Years of Reforms’ for widespread prosperity and encouraging entrepreneurship
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has shared details of reforms during the last 8 years in the field of ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and for spreading widespread prosperity and encouraging entrepreneurship. He shared a MyGov tweet thread and articles from his website and Namo App.
The Prime Minster tweeted:
“Guided by the principle of ‘Reform, Perform and Transform’ the Government of India has brought in several reforms which have furthered ‘Ease of Doing Business.’ At the same time, many outdated laws which slowed growth have been removed. #8YearsOfReforms”
“Extensive reforms for widespread prosperity and encouraging entrepreneurship. #8YearsOfReforms”
DS
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Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Nepal for laying down implementation arrangement for construction of a new Bridge over Mechi River at Indo-Nepal border
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved a Memorandum of Understanding  to be signed between India and Nepal for laying down implementation arrangement on Cost sharing, Schedules and Safeguard issues for starting construction of a new Bridge over Mechi River at Indo-Nepal border.
The estimated cost of construction of the bridge is Rs. 158.65 crore, which would be funded by Government of India through ADB loan. The new bridge is part of up-gradation of the Kakarvitta  to Panitanki Bypass  on NH 327B covering a length of 1500 meters including a 6 lane approach road of 825 meters. Mechi Bridge is the ending point of Asian Highway 02 in India leading to Nepal and provides critical connectivity to Nepal.
The construction of the bridge will improve regional connectivity and has potential to strengthen cross border trade between both the countries and cementing ties by strengthening industrial, social and cultural exchanges.
National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation  under Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has been designated as the implementing agency for this project. DPR for this project has been prepared and alignment of bridge has been finalized in consultation with Government of Nepal.
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Ministry of Finance
Change in Tariff Value of Crude Palm Oil, RBD Palm Oil, Others – Palm Oil, Crude Palmolein, RBD Palmolein, Others – Palmolein, Crude Soyabean Oil, Brass Scrap , Poppy Seeds, Areca Nuts, Gold and Silver Notified
In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section  of Section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 , the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs,  being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient so to do, hereby makes the following amendments in the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance , No. 36/2001-Customs , dated the 3rd August, 2001, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section-3, Sub-section , vide number S. O. 748 , dated the 3rd August, 2001, namely:
In the said Notification, for TABLE-1, TABLE-2 and TABLE-3, the following Tables shall be substituted, namely: -
TABLE-1
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Sl. No.
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|
Chapter/ heading/ sub-heading/tariff item
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Description of goods
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Tariff value

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|

|
|

|
|

|
|

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1
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1511 10 00
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Crude Palm Oil
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545
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2
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1511 90 10
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RBD Palm Oil
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577
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3
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1511 90 90
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Others – Palm Oil
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561
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4
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1511 10 00
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Crude Palmolein
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579
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5
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1511 90 20
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RBD Palmolein
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582
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6
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1511 90 90
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Others – Palmolein
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581
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7
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1507 10 00
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Crude Soya bean Oil
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696
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8
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7404 00 22
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Brass Scrap 
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3686
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9
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1207 91 00
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Poppy seeds
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3441
TABLE-2
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Sl. No.
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Chapter/ heading/ sub-heading/tariff item
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Description of goods
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Tariff value

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1
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71 or 98
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Gold, in any form, in respect of which the benefit of entries at serial number 356 and 358 of the Notification No. 50/2017-Customs dated 30.06.2017 is availed
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412 per 10 grams
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2
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71 or 98
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Silver, in any form, in respect of which the benefit of entries at serial number 357 and 359 of the Notification No. 50/2017-Customs dated 30.06.2017 is availed
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483 per kilogram
TABLE 3
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Sl. No.
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Chapter/ heading/ sub-heading/tariff item
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Description of goods
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Tariff value

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1
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080280
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Areca nuts
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3932
Ministry of Heavy Industries
Sailesh Assumes charge as Secretary Department of Public Enterprises
Sailesh assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, in New Delhi today. He belongs to Indian Administrative Service, 1985 batch, Assam-Meghalaya .
Prior to taking over as Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises, he served as Secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
He had earlier served as Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Prior to that he was posted as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. He also worked in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Department of Heavy Industries, Ministries of Power and External Affairs. He also served as Principal Secretary, Home and Political in the Government of Assam during 2012-14.
Sailesh holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from Delhi School of Economics. He has also done Post Graduation in Management from MDI, Gurgaon. He is an alumnus of Graduate Research Institute for Policy Studies , Tokyo, Japan where he did his Master’s in International Development Studies.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
National accounts Statistics: Back-Series 2004-05 TO 2011-12
Base year of National Accounts is periodically revised to account for the structural changes that have taken place in the economy over time and to depict a better picture of the economy through macro-economic aggregates like Gross Domestic Product , National Income, consumption expenditure and other related aggregates and indicators. This enables users to assess performance of the economy in real terms by estimating the macro-economic aggregates at the prices of the selected year, known as “base year”. The estimates at the prevailing prices of the current year are termed as “at current prices”, while those prepared at base year prices are termed as “at constant prices”. Comparison of the estimates at constant prices, i.e. “in real terms”, over the years gives a measure of “real growth”. After introduction of the new series of National Accounts , back-series estimates of National Accounts Statistics  are compiled and released for the years preceding the new base year for completeness and comparability with old base data sets. The present release gives a snapshot of domestic product, capital formation  and other macro-economic aggregates till the year 2004- 05, as per the new series of NAS with base year 2011-12.
Back-Series 2004-05 TO 2011-12: Please click here
Major Highlights of Back-Series 2004-05 TO 2011-12: Please click here
Ministry of Finance
Auction for Sale  of  ‘7.06% GS 2028’,  ‘7.26% GS 2033’ and  ‘7.30% GS 2053’
The Government of India  has announced the sale  of  “7.06% Government Security 2028” for a notified amount of ₹8,000 crore  through price based auction using uniform price method,  “7.26% Government Security 2033” for a notified amount of ₹14,000 crore  through price based auction using uniform price method and  “7.30% Government Security 2053” for a notified amount of ₹11,000 crore  through price based auction using multiple price method. GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to Rs 2,000 crore against each security mentioned above. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on June 30, 2023 .
Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the securities will be allotted to eligible individuals and institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.
Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution  system on June 30, 2023. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
The result of the auctions will be announced on June 30, 2023  and payment by successful bidders will be on July 03, 2023 .
The Securities will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.
Ministry of Defence
Memorandum of Understanding between Indian Navy and CSIR-NIO
Panaji|Goa 23rd December 2020
The Indian Navy, represented by Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence  / Directorate of Naval Oceanology and Meteorology Government of India and Council of Scientific & Industrial Research’s National Institute of Oceanography will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding to seal Institutional Linkages and Expertise in the field of Oceanography.
The MoU will be signed virtually on 24th December at 12.00 hrs. by Commodore AA Abhyankar, Commodore Naval Oceanology and Meteorology and Prof. Sunil Kumar Singh, Director, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography along with Commodore SMU Athar, Captain M K Mahawar and Commander Pawanjit Singh, Directorate of Naval Oceanology and Meteorology and Dr. V. Sanil Kumar, Head, Business Development, Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation & Ocean Engineering and Mr. Venkat Krishnamurthy, Collaborations Desk of CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography.
The Indian Navy and CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography have a long history of informal cooperation in various scientific domains of interest and this MoU will now facilitate a roadmap for further meaningful interactions that is drawn on mutual strengths of the two organizations in the specific fields of Oceanography. CSIR-NIO by virtue of its systematic and focused research in the field of ocean data collection, environmental impact assessment, and ocean modeling, has maintained the highest standards in this domain and thus this collaboration will now facilitate utilization and sharing the expertise of both the organizations with the latest developments in the field of oceanography.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN NAVY JOINS GOA LIBERATION DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
The state of Goa celebrates 19 December every year as its Liberation Day. To mark 60 years of Goa's liberation, Diamond Jubilee celebrations were held at Panaji on 19 December 2021. To commemorate the occasion, Shri Narendra Modi, Hon'ble Prime Minister laid a wreath at the martyr's memorial, Azad Maidan. A 100 men tri-service Guard of Honour was presented during the ceremony and buglers played 'The Last Post'.
The Prime Minister also witnessed a Parade of Sails by boats of the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and civil agencies; and a flypast by aircraft of the Indian Navy, from the Miramar beach.
The Diamond Jubilee events were coordinated by the Indian Navy in the presence of Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command and Rear Admiral Philipose G Pynumootil, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area.
MK/VM/PS
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Ministry of Jal Shakti
Funds Under DRIP Scheme
Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project  is a State sector scheme formulated to bridge the funding gap and provide urgent finance to States for repair and maintenance of Dams. The scheme closed on 31st March, 2021. It facilitated loans from World Bank to participating states when they agreed to terms and conditions of the lending agency. Andhra Pradesh did not choose to be a part of it.
Next phase of DRIP i.e. DRIP Phase – II & III approved by Cabinet, is at an advanced preparatory stage. Government of Andhra Pradesh has expressed willingness to be a part of DRIP Phase -II & III and submitted an estimate for 667 crore to rehabilitate 31 dams. However, they are yet to fulfill Project Readiness Criteria of World Bank to merit sanction and disbursement of loan.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Tribal Affairs, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Efficient Utilisation Of Funds Under Namami Gange Programme
Namami Gange Programme was launched in June 2014 for a period up to 31st March, 2021 to rejuvenate River Ganga and its tributaries. The programme was subsequently extended up to 31stMarch, 2026. A total sum of Rs.13,709.72 crore were released to the National Mission for Clean Ganga , from Financial Year  2014-15 till 31st October 2022, out of which Rs.13,046.81 crore have been released/expended by NMCG to State Governments, State Missions for Clean Ganga  and other agencies for implementation of projects under the Programme during the said period.
For efficient utilization of funds, NMCG has fully transited to Treasury Single Account  system from Financial Year  2022-23. TSA system ensures “Just in time” fund release thereby eliminating possibility of parking of funds with grantee institutions, and thus a more efficient fund flow, as also better Cash Management. All five SMCGs and Eleven agencies receiving funds directly from NMCG have also been on-boarded. The unspent balances both with SMCGs and NMCG are reduced significantly.
Under Namami Gange Programme , a total of 406 projects have been taken up, out of which 224 projects have been completed. To expedite the timely completion of the projects and further funds utilization, regular review meetings are under undertaken under by Secretary, DoWR,RD&GR; Director General, NMCG and other senior officials with all stakeholders. Various bottlenecks affecting the progress of projects like land acquisition, permission for shifting of utilities, permission from Railways, NHAI, Road cutting Departments etc are also addressed, resulting in faster completion of projects.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.